Old Baggage

Let's get something straight. When a person calls to make an appointment with a doctor or a hair dresser or even a professor, and says that he or she is available between 9 and 2 on Mondays and Wednesdays; he or she is not suggesting that during those times he/she would normally be sitting around staring at the wall, waiting for something to happen. Those are simply the times that said person has many flexibly scheduled items that can be moved to accommodate an appointment. Right? We know this, don't we? We understand that on all other days and times, rigid schedules must be kept. Right! Good.

Moving on.

I think it is an arrogant and selfish act to block your own number when calling someone. I don't answer calls when they are blocked or anonymous. It's like covering up the peak-hole when you visit someone's house. Eventually they're going to know it's you at the door. I understand a callers right to remain anonymous, I simply exercise my right not to answer my phone.
My neighbor, the old, know-it-all right next-door to us, always shows up as "Out of Area" even though she lives two walls over. At first, I didn't answer. Then she explained that it was because she blocks her number (whether that's true or not, I have no idea). After that, I would only answer when it was "Out of Area"because then I knew it was her. And I would answer, "Hi Polly!" just to let her know she wasn't being sneaky.
That was before I had a nice chat with her daughter over the shared back fence. Apparently Polly disapproves of my parenting techniques. This from a woman who's own children visit for one hour on her Birthday and all major holidays, but no more. Never any more. If their car appears, I can look at the calendar and figure out why. It's never a surprise, always an obligation. But I'm the "horrible mother" as her daughter quoted. Of course she felt comfortable telling me this because it's absurd! I'm a fantastic parent! Ask my kids.
Unfortunately, I wear my heart on my sleeve and just knowing that she thinks so highly of me will show on my face or be heard in my voice. I can be cruel without meaning to be and quite honestly, no matter how she feels about me, I kinda like the old bat. So I have cut all communications.
It is a freeing experience to go about my business as if the phone has not rung three times in the past hour. I can even ignore a doorbell rung twice then twice again, quickly, as if someone was bleeding from the eyes just outside(oh yes, this is the annoying behavior that took place when I still gave a shit and would rush to the door to see how I could be of service).
Now I know that no one is dying and I have better things to do than pretend to believe that someone likes me. If I thought that she could be straight with me, then I might answer the door again. We could take a few jabs at each other and call it a day, but she's too old and her generation doesn't do well with honest feelings. So, I ignore her. Many times it was those very phone calls and doorbells that interrupted my time with my children. So, you see, Polly has already taught me the error of my ways. Nice lady.